English 10 UNIT 1 VOCABULARY

Circuses:

Circuses have been entertaining people for thousands of years. At the public games in ancient Rome, for example, riders stood on the bare backs of horses and raced around circular tracks while the assembled crowds gaped in wonder.

What does gaped most likely mean as it is used in this paragraph?

• gasped

• gawked

• cheered

• protested

Jugglers, those ambidextrous performers who throw many objects into the air and keep them in constant motion, have an even more ancient history.

What is the meaning of ambidextrous as it is used in this sentence?

• amazing

• ungainly

• skillful

• ancient

Shakespeare features court jesters in some of his plays, where they often function as more than mere clowns. In King Lear, for example, the Fool speaks a great deal of sense but cloaks it in the guise of foolishness.

What word is closest in meaning to guise as it is used in this paragraph?

• appearance

• tradition

• business

• fashion

Philip Astley's circus with horseback riding, acrobatic acts, and clowns was quickly imitated in America. A century later, showmen such as P.T. Barnum augmented these spectacles with a great variety of acts, including trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, trained animals, and dancers.

Which word is closest in meaning to augmented as it is used in this paragraph?

• beautified

• spoiled

• tamed

• enlarged

The clowns, however, are at the heart of any circus. Awkward and unkempt, the clowns struct and stumble in outlandish clothes and makeup, delighting one and all with their antics.

Which word means the opposite of unkempt in this paragraph?

• silly

• well-groomed

• lovable

• ugly

gave no intimation of her difficulties

Synonym: Choose the word that means the same as intimation.

• hint

• complaint

• proof

• account

reiterated the warning

Synonym: Choose the item that means the same as reiterated.

• heeded

• ignored

• repeated

• proposed

He was stung by their ________ and decided not to play with them anymore.

Fill in the blank with the correct word.

• dishonesty

• sympathy

• kindness

• gibes

True or False: A stolid woman cries easily.

If the word is used correctly, mark true. If it is used incorrectly, mark false.

• True

• False

True or False: An opulent room contains luxurious furniture and expensive art.

If the word is used correctly, mark true. If it is used incorrectly, mark false.

• True

• False